Another Thanksgiving celebration is here. While we thank those we love, work with, play with and are inspired by this year, let’s also thank ourselves—no matter how smooth or bumpy our 2023 ride has been.
Be Thankful for Your Mistakes
Let’s start with the small things—that are really big things. How many times this year did you say, “Oh, I’m sorry, my mistake,” or “Whoops I goofed. Let me fix that.”? Thank yourself for admitting your mistakes, because only then can we grow.
Those who deny their mistakes or blame others miss out on one of life’s great joys—the opportunity to learn and grow. So, if you’ve acknowledged your mistakes and resolved them, you’ve learned and grown.
As Mary Pickford said, “If you have made mistakes, even serious mistakes, you may have a fresh start from any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.”
Be Thankful for Your Joy
Joy is an inner feeling of great happiness and pleasure. What brought you great joy this year? A special vacation? A new friend? A great book? A reunion with long-time friends? Whatever it was, be thankful, because joy is not only a fun feeling that leads to inner satisfaction, it improves our physical health, too, from reducing blood pressure to boosting our immune system. So be thankful for all the joy in 2023 and resolve to create even more next year. And remember that anonymous saying, “It is not joy that makes us grateful. It is gratitude that makes us joyful.”
Be Thankful for Your Compassion
How many selfless acts did you perform in 2023—acts where you sought no credit, but helped another in need? If you’ve ever volunteered for a social services organization—or helped out a neighbor—you know how the good you do also brings you great satisfaction.
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” Dalai Lama
Be Thankful for the Bridges You’ve Built
Did you experience differences of opinion this year—whether family, friend, or employee? Who didn’t? More important, did you find a way to bridge the gap between yourself and them? If so, thank yourself for that.
Building bridges between disparate opinions is a true art. It requires mutual respect, keen listening and measured, tactful conversation. If you’ve succeeded at that this year—even if only once–-congratulations. You have practiced an art that bypasses many. You’ve learned a skill that will grow you and your business and your family. Be thankful for that.
Come to think of it, you’ve done some stellar things this year—that you perhaps forgot. Thanksgiving is the time to recall them and be thankful for the skills you’ve acquired.
So Happy Thanksgiving to you—one in which you take pride in yourself, and in what you’ve done.
Finally, back by popular demand is my gratitude list from Thanksgiving 2022:
A Heaping Helping of Gratitude
G - Growing up in a small town
R - Relationships, personal and professional
A - Achieving success with my business
T - Travel opportunities
E - Enthusiastic team members to mentor and to coach
F - 4-H membership
U - Unending learning opportunities
L - Loves of my life… Pat and Cari
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at BGL & Associates, LLC to you.